What is coworking in simple words, and how to build a business on it?

Not everyone can work from home, and office rent is expensive. The solution is to rent a space in a coworking center. It turns out cheaper this way. What is coworking and what you need to prepare for if you decide to use such services, we will tell you in this article.

In simple words, a coworking space is a center where you can rent a workplace for the required time. Renting for a short period (an hour or two) may cost more than renting for a month. A number of coworking spaces offer to rent equipped workspaces with a computer or laptop, scanner, printer, as well as additional services.

Who invented coworking spaces?

Co-working was invented in America in 2005 by programmer Brad Newberg. The first coworking office was a place where people were offered everything they needed to work for a nominal fee:

Conveniently equipped workplace.
Free Internet.
Delicious inexpensive lunches.
Joint outings into nature and even meditation lasting about 20 minutes.

The first coworking center in Russia was opened in 2008 in Chelyabinsk. Today their number has increased to 300. Most are located in Moscow.

Features of coworking space

But as in many other areas of our lives, it is impossible to consider all the proposals that exist today. Thus, the presented centers differ in:

Topics/interests, but most of them are still universal and do not have a clear division. Although more and more often, and leadership in our country predictably remains with Moscow, specialized ones are appearing.
Gender. Moreover, there are both those intended only for men or women (an achievement of the West, there is no such thing in Russia), and those in which one of the sexes will simply be uninteresting, for example, carpentry or sewing.
The type of places provided. Both fixed and “floating” within the walls of one center. Whereas if you take advantage of the network offer, then everything will be even more individual in each specific case.
Nationalities. However, this is not the case in Russia, and the emergence of such coworking spaces is not expected.
Payment method. Hourly, daily, monthly rental: even in one center there are several types available, from which you can always choose the best one.
According to technical content. But here everything is individual in each specific case. The same applies to working hours - not everyone works around the clock.

Therefore, if you do not select according to the “first one you come across” principle (and only a few do this), then all this will have to be taken into account. Fortunately, our website has a search system that simplifies this action many times over, allowing you to choose the one and only best one without getting up from your computer.

What services can you get in a coworking space?

As a rule, coworking centers provide the following services:

Renting a workplace.
Access to high-speed Internet (included in the rental price).
Rent of meeting rooms.
Rental of office equipment (printer, scanner, photocopier, fax).
Stationery, display boards, projectors.
Rent a parking space.

There are additional services that increase the level of a coworking center:

Luggage storage with personal keys.
24/7 access.
GYM's.
Shower and much more.

The creator of the center determines the list of services at his own discretion.

How it works?

Collaboration requires space. We are not necessarily talking about an office; coworking is a cross between office work and working at home remotely. If we consider this process in an urban context, we can say that different buildings are chosen as space, including the so-called “third places”. A center for collaboration can be a cafe, a library, even a building that has lost its original purpose: a factory floor, a former school, even a church. In fact, this is not so important, the main thing is a working, business-like, comfortable atmosphere. And unusual buildings even inspire creative people.

A coworking center may be equipped with everything you need, but more often freelancers come with their own laptops. The center has furniture for work and relaxation, there may be computers, office equipment, an Internet connection, as a rule, drinking water, tea, coffee and sweets.

Of course, most often a coworking space resembles an office, but the main difference is that the people working are different in their specialty and completely independent of each other. Each performs its own function. Translators, programmers, designers, brokers and other specialists coexist in one workspace, united only by a workspace that gives a feeling of teamwork and the opportunity not to feel loneliness.

Who uses coworking services?

Client type	What do they do in a coworking space, what services do they buy?
Aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups	Rent of workplaces, meeting rooms, conference rooms. Compared to renting an office, coworking for a small team is cheaper and allows you to flexibly adjust the cost of the office, change the number of rented places, etc.
Freelancers	Renting a workplace, office equipment, and less often, renting meeting rooms. Additional services (lunch, gym).
Companies	Rental of premises for events, seminars and conferences.
Business trips	Renting a workplace for the duration of a business trip, using the Internet, cafes, and other additional services. It is impossible to rent an office for the duration of a business trip, since no one allows you to rent an office for a day or two.

What is COWORKING - meaning, definition in simple words?

In simple words, Coworking is such a fashionable way of organizing work, when people with different skills can perform tasks in one room. The word translates as “collaboration”, when in one office, library, even cafe, the workspace can be anything, people of different professions work, everyone does their own thing.

Today, the trend is to work from home or even run a business practically without leaving home. It's convenient, but there are also disadvantages - loneliness. To conduct business or perform remote work, you don’t have to feel confined within four walls. Coworking is a relatively new and original way to feel part of a team.

A coworking space is a professional space that is rented out for a desired period of time to everyone. If an employer rents a space, they often pay employees for their work in that workspace. But even without this, having a workplace that is fully equipped and convenient for work is profitable and also comfortable, because it is a team work, but everyone is independent and free. Freelancers often gather in one space.

Pros and cons of working in a coworking space

Pros of coworking spaces:

Low rental cost compared to an office. Renting a standard office is usually more expensive than the cost of a workplace in a co-working center. If you work alone, you may find it difficult to find a small office. In addition, small premises usually rent for more per square meter than larger ones.
Flexible approach to rental terms. You can rent a space in a coworking space for an hour, a day, a month or a whole year. For long-term rentals, the client may be assigned a separate place.
All necessary office equipment is available, and fees for Internet connection and electricity are included in the rental price.
Possibility of free professional development. Seminars and trainings are often held in coworking spaces. In addition, you can communicate with colleagues who rent space in the center.
Detachment from everyday worries. You will not be distracted by your home environment.
Easier to conduct business meetings. You can rent a meeting room if you need to communicate directly with the customer.
A community of like-minded people.
You can find partners among people who rent workplaces, establish partnerships, exchange orders, find assistants and solve many other problems.
The coworking address can be indicated as the address of your office on your personal website, which will increase your status and allow you to assign the desired region to the site in Yandex (this is important for promotion).
Possibility to officially rent a workplace. If you agree with a friend to unofficially rent space in the office, you may be asked to vacate the premises at any time. This cannot happen in a coworking space.

Cons of coworking centers:

You need to carefully study the cost of services - what is included in the rental, and what you will have to pay extra for. Coworking services are not always cheap. They may also have a system of fines.
Look at the jobs. Sometimes in coworking spaces they are cramped and you have to sit almost back to back with your neighbor. Please note, not chairs, armchairs. They are also not always comfortable.
You will need to spend time traveling to a coworking center, while working at home, you don’t have to travel anywhere.
There is a risk of losing personal belongings, especially if the center does not have storage lockers.
Noise from neighbors in the workspace. Conversations and calls can be distracting.
The presence of other visitors (this may distract from work).
It is not always possible to assign a certain workplace to yourself, which is inconvenient.
There is no opportunity to choose which technology to work on. Of course, you can bring your personal laptop to a coworking space, but where is the guarantee that it will be safe?
Coworking spaces are not always located in convenient locations in terms of parking or proximity to public transport stops.

Coworking spaces in Moscow

I present to your attention the TOP work centers where conferences, presentations and meetings of interest are organized. And also additional services:

State coworking spaces. The Moscow government actively supports small businesses and in these centers you can rent a place for free, but you must first register. By 2020, six work sites have been opened in various districts of Moscow.
Work station. The company has already created 4 sites. And three of them are in the center. You can book yourself an excursion and work for a week for free, all in order to introduce you to the qualities of the centers: quality, productivity, comfort.
The presence of one branch did not prevent us from being one of the three finalists for the “Coworking of the Year 2018” award. The center is actively developing and a second branch opened in December 2020. The center has a flexible tariff for workplaces, as well as a closed Women's Club, which promotes women's projects and a chance to find partners or investors.
Network of workspaces “Key”. Each space location is selected according to historical criteria. Charge yourself with positive emotions, enjoy the views from the window, drink a cup of freshly brewed coffee and concentrate on work. Variety of tariffs and jobs. As well as various additional services: a conference room, offices and the ability to move around the sites.
Representative work center with legal address. High ceilings and modern design make it possible to hold business meetings, organize presentations or conferences. Purchasing a subscription gives you the opportunity to attend closed events, meetings with prominent people in business, politics and art.

How to choose a coworking space? Looking for pitfalls!

A good coworking center is a place where you can work conveniently and inexpensively. To make the right choice, follow the instructions.

1. Collect basic data about the coworking zone:

Coworking location. Will it be convenient for you to get there?
Operating mode. It is important that the mode is comfortable for you.
Ability to work around the clock, on weekends.
Coworking rules, fine system.
What is included in the basic rental of a workplace? Sometimes the rental price includes several hours of rent for a meeting room, sometimes other bonuses.
Layout of premises. In some coworking spaces you can rent small offices - this will be a plus.
Prices for renting seats and additional services.
History of coworking. If the center has been operating for a long time, there is less risk that it will suddenly close.
List of additional services. Are all the services you need available in a coworking space?
Proximity to public transport stops and metro stations.

2. Look at reviews.

You can get a lot of valuable information from people who rent space at a coworking space. When visiting the center, do not hesitate to ask a few people and ask them to share their opinions.

3. Find out what events are held at the center?

Will you be comfortable working if there are a lot of people in the coworking space who like to hang out and make noise?

4. Check the availability of meeting rooms.

Check that the center has a sufficient number of meeting rooms. They can come in handy if you need to communicate with customers personally. It is important to find out how much time in advance you need to book a meeting.

5. Find out your Internet access speed.

Is this speed enough for you to work comfortably?

6. Where can I eat?

A significant plus is the presence of an inexpensive cafe in the coworking space or next to it. This will allow you to save on lunches.

Thematic areas for coworking

For example, let’s take several coworking spaces in different cities, working in different directions:

24-hour business coworking, as the name suggests, is designed for business people, and therefore financially successful people. Accordingly, rent here is quite expensive - from 1 thousand rubles. per day for a workplace, and if we are talking about renting an office, then the cost can reach 125 thousand rubles. per month. The fee is even higher (150-180 thousand rubles) if you plan not only to work, but also to live in the office. Clients have the opportunity to work with a secretary, an automated business system, and a sales department.

For business

“Reform” is the name of the time club, which in its functions is similar to an anti-cafe. There are not only workplaces, but also play areas, the opportunity to watch a movie, audiences for lectures or master classes and even concerts. Here, payment is made by the minute, in particular, the average price of an hour of work in a coworking space (depending on what time of day you are here and in which zone) is about 150 rubles.
Coworking space designed for work by mothers on maternity leave. Its special feature is the presence of playrooms for kids, where they can have fun while mom is working. There is a normal “office” work schedule here, with the usual days off for everyone on Saturdays and Sundays. For a working day, mothers pay about 300 rubles. The coworking space is open by appointment.

For mothers on maternity leave

A creative coworking space, a kind of workshop in which representatives of the decorative and applied arts work, both beginners and professionals. This is all the more convenient and useful because beginners can always learn from experience, “peek” at certain professional secrets, and communicate. Here, workshops equipped with all necessary equipment, from machines to tools, are available to customers. In addition, master classes and courses on a particular topic are organized. The coworking space is open from noon to 10 pm; working here for a month will cost about 5 thousand rubles.
A coworking academy designed for learning. Teachers work here, studios are located and various language schools conduct classes. The equipment that allows for full-fledged classes and consultations has also been thought out: easels, LCD screens, there is a place to store materials and things here. The price of staying here for an hour is 150 rubles, and discounts are provided to regular customers.
Carpentry coworking, essentially a workshop equipped with everything necessary for carpentry. There is not only all the tools that you may need in your work, but also a variety of machines, work clothing and protective equipment, and often even material for work is provided.

Both machines and clothing are provided

A sewing coworking space is practically a small sewing factory, with cutting tables and professional sewing machines. All necessary tools and materials, as well as mannequins, are also provided to clients.
Techno-coworking was created recently and is not yet very widespread, but the first experience has already shown the demand for such coworking to create conditions for representatives of professions such as scientists or engineers.
Another relatively new type of coworking is rural. It is intended for those who want to take a break from the city. As an option, this is a settlement in a village for several families, which is actually a small town with developed infrastructure: sports grounds, a kindergarten, a catering establishment and, of course, a work area, so that you do not have to travel to work in the city. The essence of such a settlement is leisure and good ecology.

How much does it cost to rent a space in a coworking area?

The cost of renting a coworking space depends on the city, location, level of the center, availability of related services and much more.

For example, let's look at the prices of some coworking spaces in Moscow and St. Petersburg:

Name	Cost for 1 day	Cost for 1 month
Workstation (Moscow time)	800 rubles	16900 rubles
Start Hub (Moscow time)	500 rubles	12000 rubles
GrowUp (St. Petersburg)	600 rubles	9000 rubles
Practitioner (St. Petersburg)	800 rubles	11000 rubles

In the regions, the cost of renting space in a coworking area can be significantly lower. Renting a workplace for a month can cost 3000-3500 rubles.

Coworking or working from home?

Many freelancers choose the first option. This is due to the fact that working at home often deprives you of the opportunity to communicate, the circle of people with whom you can communicate is significantly reduced, and communication skills are also deteriorating. People are social, being constantly alone is difficult and this negatively affects the quality of work and productivity. Being in a circle of like-minded people, you can always find common professional topics and even expand your social circle.

Another advantage of working together is self-discipline and mood. If there are problems with discipline, this issue cannot be solved at home; rather, on the contrary, it can worsen. It’s easier to get together in coworking centers because there are people nearby who are working and don’t sit still, they are productive and active, this is a great motivator. When everyone around you decides something, is creative, actively works, it inspires and even reluctantly you get involved in this work process.

The advantage is also that the work environment does not have the same temptations as at home. Reasons to be distracted from work seem significant, but in fact, it negatively affects productivity.

Of course, working in a coworking space is not just about communication and work, but also about development. By communicating with other people, you can gain new knowledge, and it is also an opportunity to immediately find clients or partners and make your work even more profitable.

Coworking as a business: how to open and promote co-working, what income can you expect?

Coworking is a tough business. Its success depends on many factors. It is important not only to create a comfortable workspace for participants, but also to gather a certain crowd so that people are interested in working together. Find and unite creative people, freelancers.

To open a coworking center, you must:

Decide on the direction of the center. Who will rent workplaces there and why, what conditions should be created for tenants, what services should be provided.
Draw up a business plan and understand how to achieve profitability. For example, it will be difficult to recoup a small coworking space, since there are constant costs for the administrator, cleaning lady, etc. divided into a small number of jobs.
Find a suitable premises. Optimally – where you can easily reach from any part of the city.
Create the necessary atmosphere in the coworking space, make repairs.
Purchase the necessary machinery and equipment.
Promote co-working to attract visitors. Typically, coworking spaces are actively promoted through social networks, contextual advertising, and word of mouth. You can encourage your first clients to bring their acquaintances and friends.
Hire qualified workers (administrators, technical support staff, maintenance personnel).
Maintain interest in coworking in a creative environment: hold meetings with interesting people, lectures, seminars.

It is important to choose the right coworking format. For example, you should not open a center without meeting rooms, since they are in demand. The larger the coworking space and the more varied the services, the greater the chances of turning a profit due to additional services. With proper planning, a coworking space can pay for itself within the first year of operation.

Useful articles on the topic:

How to choose and rent a good office?
Is it possible to make an office in an apartment?
Catalog of coworking centers

Author: Articles from readers (KadrofID: 10782) Added: 03/19/2018 at 23:07

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What types of coworking spaces are there?

If we talk about the general profile, then coworking centers can be divided into open - for everyone and with a certain specialization : creative, artistic, business, sewing.
Another parameter depends on the “human factor”. According to it, coworking centers can open their doors only to those who are representatives of a particular nationality; there can be exclusively women’s coworking spaces and the same purely male ones. In addition, coworking can be highly specialized.
In terms of office design, coworking spaces can be simple, containing only the minimum necessary set of furniture and equipment.

Simple coworking office

More complex structures are co-working offices for industrial purposes, where a very specific product is produced. This also includes the craft direction of coworking - sewing or, for example, carpentry , where the premises are equipped with all the equipment necessary for such production.

Sewing coworking space

We should also mention coworking spaces designed for creative individuals who can conduct master classes, sharing their skills, give lessons - in a word, create themselves and share their skills with others.
are often organized , where children can create for their own pleasure. And also, speaking of creative and non-standard approaches, we can note such a fairly popular form of coworking as an anti-cafe.
In the warm season, street coworking centers are popular, where all of the above is carried out in the open air.

A little history

The format of office space, where business projects are carried out jointly, appeared in the 90s. last century. The first joint office opened in 2005 in the USA (San Francisco). The idea came to the mind of programmer Brad Newberg, he was looking for ways to increase productivity.

Together with like-minded people, Brad opened a center where everyone, for a low fee, received a workplace, access to Wi-Fi and, of course, invaluable experience and free creative advice from colleagues. The innovative idea instantly spread throughout the world.

In Russia, joint offices are opening at a rapid pace, confirming good demand. For fruitful work in a huge metropolis, coworking conditions are a practical and affordable find. The first such office began operating in Yekaterinburg in 2008, after which the line of work spread to all megacities.

Interesting fact! Large government organizations are opening coworking centers to attract talented young people. Sberbank of Russia follows this practice.

Factors in the development of coworking spaces

Economic. In the face of constantly rising rents, many entrepreneurs are abandoning the idea of renting office space. A less expensive solution is joint tenancy.
Behavioral. Today, many young people consciously refuse imposed office discipline and choose creativity and free thinking. The work process in the coworking center meets the requirements of young people - there are no frameworks, no rules, and a free, creative atmosphere reigns.

Character traits

The ability to move freely indoors, the absence of strict rules and frameworks, a high concentration of fresh, extraordinary ideas, useful skills and qualifications. From a psychological point of view, such an atmosphere contributes to the full development of human potential.

Important! A coworking center is a workspace of any size, equipped for a certain number of people - office furniture, computer equipment, a room for large business events, a kitchen room, a bathroom. For a very reasonable fee you can rent a workplace or the entire premises. The rental period is determined by the client individually. If you are leasing for a long time (a month or more), inquire about the exact legal address of the organization.

Form of organization of work places

Office space can be organized in two ways.

With floating (non-permanent) seats for clients. The center employee chooses any free workplace. The rent is about 100 rubles , and you can use all the premises, as well as computer equipment and move freely around the office.
With assigned (permanent) jobs. Each employee is assigned a specific workplace, the rent is about 50 rubles per hour. Feature - employees are not allowed to move around the office. If there is a need to use another room, an additional fee must be paid.

Important! Professional centers offer clients separate, isolated spaces where they can perform demanding work that requires full concentration.

Other Features

The premises are equipped with the necessary material and technical base for work. However, the rent assumes only the use of the most necessary things - furniture and a computer. For other equipment and premises you need to pay extra.
You can rent a whole room, one or several workplaces. If you rent several workspaces, be prepared for any surprises - your neighbors may be musicians.
In the case of coworking, we are talking about short-term rent - from 1 to 3 months. You can pay even for a few minutes of working time. When renting premises for longer than 1 month, discounts are provided.
Additionally, you can use the services of a lawyer, secretary or courier (separate payment).
There are government centers. Here the premises are provided free of charge, however, exclusively for socially important projects.

What types of coworking centers are there – TOP 4 main types

The key part of the word “coworking” is “work” . That is, people come here first of all to work, and only then to communicate, drink coffee and exchange ideas. The workspace is turning into an ecosystem, where everything is subordinated to the main goal - to create ideal conditions for productive activity.

A coworking space should be useful, comfortable, well-equipped, clean and spacious. At the same time, expensive design and an abundance of newfangled technology do not yet guarantee that this place will be convenient and easy to work. An atmosphere of creativity and creation is important.

There are several types of coworking centers – let’s look at the main ones.

Type 1. Centers for production and office activities

The most common type of coworking space. Representatives of different professions work in such centers - designers, copywriters, programmers, translators. People who are not tied to a specific employer work here, or employees work remotely.

In such centers, in addition to the main workspace, there are lounges, conference rooms, rooms for telephone conversations and personal meetings, and a cafe.

Beginning entrepreneurs who do not want to spend money on renting an office or do not have the means to do so can run their own business here (unless, of course, it is the production of sunflower seeds or ice cream).

It happens that large companies rent places in such centers for specialists hired for one-time projects. This is more profitable than organizing workplaces for them at the company’s main office.

Office centers are the easiest to organize. At first, the costs are minimal. This is what the co-owner of one of the Novosibirsk ones told me.

Payment in such offices is hourly, weekly or monthly. I was in a coworking space where it was cheaper to pay a special 10-day rate, then one working day would cost only 300 rubles .

Type 2. Creative coworking centers

Creative personalities gather here - artists, poets, musicians, writers. In such centers, the emphasis is on communication between people based on their interests, although those who prefer solitary creativity will find a comfortable corner here.

Type 3. Craft centers

A type of coworking that is gaining increasing popularity is open “handmade” workshops . A paradise for those who love to do things with their own hands. Such centers have all the necessary equipment, including specific equipment - for example, 3D printers.

While a programmer or writer always has the choice of going to a coworking space or working at home, not all furniture or clothing designers can work in their own workshop. In such situations , coworking is the only opportunity to do what you love.

And most importantly, here you will receive advice and guidance from more experienced masters. Sometimes they even organize master classes or conduct full-fledged training courses.

There are a lot of options for do-it-yourself coworking spaces. These include design, sewing, and carpentry workshops. Some centers simultaneously organize online stores where they sell finished products for their clients.

Among the most popular areas are carpentry and furniture making. Clients of carpentry co-working spaces are craftsmen who want to set up their production, but do not yet have the funds to organize a workshop.

Example of carpentry coworking
Public carpentry workshop “Dar Truda” in Moscow. 830 sq.m of production space. Daily audience – 43 people (on average). One of the first industrial coworking spaces in the Russian Federation. There is a carpentry shop, a training center and an order department where those interested can order furniture, laser engraving, milling, etc.

An example of a craft coworking is a carpentry workshop.
Additional income for the owners, in addition to renting space and equipment, is the sale of consumables and tools, consultations and training, space for a finished product warehouse.

Type 4. Children's coworking centers

A specific type of coworking space is a cross between a private kindergarten and a children's creativity center. In the West, such establishments are par for the course; in Russia, they are still a rare, but very promising line of business.

Children's coworking space provides children with healthy nutrition, educational games, communication, while parents are close to their child and in contact with other mothers and fathers. In essence, this is the organization of useful and enjoyable leisure time for children and their parents.

The table clearly shows the pros and cons of “communal offices”:

№	Criteria for evaluation	"Behind"	"Against"
1	Workspace organization	Everything you need is always at hand, the centers are equipped with computers, printers, scanners and other modern equipment	Some people are annoyed by the classic office style, but there are centers with a more informal atmosphere
2	Communication	There is always an opportunity to communicate with colleagues	Not all freelancers are ready to contact people
3	Convenience	In large cities you will always find the Center in close proximity to your home	In cities where there are few coworking centers, some visitors find it difficult to get to them
4	Safety	Some centers have lockers for storing personal items	You have to be careful - clever thieves can easily steal valuables from visitors who are immersed in their work.

What are the risks when organizing a coworking space - 3 main risks

Like any business, coworking is associated with certain risks.

Let's talk about the main ones.

Risk 1. Seasonality

In summer the number of visitors is much lower. It’s clear what this is connected with - in the warm season, it’s good to work on a laptop both in a cozy park and in the country. Yes, and freelancers also like to relax, and when else to go on vacation, if not in the summer?

To attract customers during the holiday season, coworking space owners show remarkable ingenuity and ingenuity. There are promotions and special offers for summer visitors, additional services, like the same shower in Moscow.

Risk 2. Rent increase

If you are not the owner but a tenant, the landlord has the right to raise the rent. Usually this happens exactly when your business little by little begins to improve and generate a stable income. And here he is, the owner, with his rent.

But nothing can be done - this risk must be taken into account in advance, the terms must be negotiated with the owner of the premises when concluding a lease agreement.

Risk 3. Overestimation of one’s own financial capabilities

This happens when newbies create an overly optimistic business plan . They have enough money to rent a room and order equipment, but they have nothing to do the redevelopment. And visitors are reluctant to go to a coworking space with bare walls.

So there is a possibility that the business will wither on the vine. Conclusion - draw up an objective business plan. To learn how to do this correctly, read our separate article.

Coworking – a new work organization scheme

This concept and process are relatively new, they appeared recently, as a result of development. With the advent of freelancing, problems arose that had to be solved: working in an office is not always as profitable as freely searching for projects, and working at home is not always convenient and productive. Freelancers are people who have chosen freedom in finding work; they are not ready to work according to a schedule; they are more creative and complex individuals who want to earn good money. Therefore, it is not surprising that the first coworking space was organized by a freelancer.

Everyone decides for themselves what is more convenient and profitable. Coworking remains a popular option for organizing work and workspace; it is unusual, more modern and an alternative to office and home work. Moreover, it has more advantages, while it is difficult to name the disadvantages. This workspace is not suitable for everyone, but there are a large number of people for whom coworking is the best solution for successful and productive work.

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How you can make money from a coworking space – 4 main sources of income

If you are a budding businessman looking for a promising idea, and there is no coworking space in your city yet, hurry up. Otherwise, someone will definitely get ahead of you. Investments here are minimal, payback is relatively quick, and profitability is unlimited.

Practice shows that with proper business organization, investments pay off in about 8-12 months. If you are the owner of the premises, then this period is reduced by 2 times.

That being said, there are several ways to make a profit through a coworking space. Use all options and your earnings will increase proportionally.

Source 1. Renting a workplace by clients of the center

The classic way to generate income is by renting places to those who want to work. Each center has its own prices and rental rates. On average, this is 10-20 thousand per person per month if he visits the center daily. One-time visits will cost visitors more. In some coworking spaces they charge workers up to 500 rubles. at one o'clock.

Source 2. Renting out a center for corporate events

Rent out your center to those wishing to host corporate events - conferences, trainings, business meetings or meetings. This is not the main, but profitable source of income, especially in large cities, where finding inexpensive premises for corporate events is not always easy.

Source 3. Educational direction

Well-organized training programs in some centers account for almost half of the revenue.

During the first season of coworking operation, it is worth organizing inexpensive pilot training courses in different areas in order to select the most popular ones. This is how you will “find” your target audience. After this, you can launch full-fledged programs with an appropriate cost.

Source 4. Provision of additional services

Open a small cafe in a coworking space. It is much more convenient for visitors to buy coffee and buns here than to run to the nearest buffet. As a last resort, install a vending machine for selling drinks and snacks.

Financial plan

When drawing up a financial plan, you need to calculate the volume of starting investments and the fixed costs of the project.

The initial investment is (in thousands of rubles):

50 – registration of the enterprise;
60 – rent of premises during renovation;
300 – design project and renovation;
400 – furniture, office equipment, equipment;
20 – consumables (copier paper, notepads);
50 – starting advertising campaign;
20 – reserve for unforeseen expenses.

Total 900,000 rubles.

The main share of investments falls on the design and renovation of premises, the purchase of furniture and equipment. It’s better not to save on this, since the design and equipment of the coworking space determines how much time visitors will spend in the establishment.

Current expenses include (in thousands of rubles):

50 – rent of premises;
20 – utility bills and Internet;
150 – staff salary with deductions, payment for outsourcing services;
20 – consumables, drinks, products;
20 – supporting advertising campaign;
10 – unforeseen expenses.

Total 270,000 rubles.

The main income of a coworking space is payment for the time the visitor spent in the establishment. Usually hourly rates are set, with different rates for morning, afternoon, evening and night hours. Subscriptions are also issued for a month, quarter, six months and a year. Rates for renting individual offices, meeting rooms, and conference rooms are determined separately. Practice shows that already from the first months of work you can achieve monthly revenue of 320–350 thousand rubles.

With proper organization and a creative approach to the service program, you can create a community of regular visitors in a coworking center and ensure the required level of sales. The average payback period for this business is 12–18 months.

How to open a coworking center - step-by-step instructions for aspiring entrepreneurs

In a large city there are hundreds of microcultures and business communities. It will not be possible to create a place that is convenient for everyone. Therefore, immediately decide on your potential audience. Based on the contingent, organize everything else.

Act according to an expert scheme, this will reduce costs and save time.

Step 1. Draw up a business plan

Drawing up a competent plan is a mandatory preparatory stage of any business. Such a document will help calculate and optimize initial costs and determine what steps need to be taken to bring your ideas to life.

It will be difficult to keep 1000 and one little things in your head - use Google Docs and special programs for running a business.

A business plan for a coworking space includes creating a team. One person cannot simultaneously play the role of administrator, designer, marketer, consultant and commercial director.

Step 2. Choose a room

The choice of premises plays a decisive role in the coworking business. For the purposes of an office center, space in the business part of the city is suitable.

Main requirements for the premises:

convenient location near the metro or major transport interchanges;
modern renovation;
uniform style and business atmosphere;
a lot of free space;
availability of a bathroom;
fast internet.

Some centers have several floors, but not every entrepreneur can afford such luxury. Beginners, as a rule, have only one option - renting an inexpensive commercial space with subsequent design.

Step 3. Purchase equipment

You will need tables, chairs, armchairs, clothes hangers, office partitions to divide the space into zones, computers and other office equipment. Plus some household appliances and necessary little things.

Step 4. Improving the layout

If the condition of the premises is far from ideal, you cannot do without costs for repairs, decoration and design. Work areas need to be separated from rest areas. If you plan to earn income from training, you will need additional space.

High ceilings and panoramic windows with inspiring views are a plus. If the room is easy to breathe and has a feeling of spaciousness, clients will want to spend as much time there as possible.

Having your own food outlet will increase income, but will also require additional costs. Beginners are unlikely to be able to immediately organize a cafe in a coworking center, but keep this prospect in mind.

Author's design is a good thing, but don't get carried away with futuristic furniture - not everyone will find it comfortable and functional.

Step 5. Attract visitors and generate income

We register an individual entrepreneur or LLC (whichever is more convenient for you) and begin to attract visitors. Most coworking spaces operate 24 hours a day and reward regular customers with promotions and discounts. Before opening, launch advertising online and in the media.

Let’s take a breath and watch a video on the topic of the article.